Guides
Vet ownership
How to find out who owns your vet
Around 6 in 10 UK vet practices now belong to a corporate group, often keeping the local name above the door. Here are four reliable ways to check who owns yours.
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Independent vs corporate vets: what the data says
Does it matter whether your vet is independent or part of a chain? This guide sets out what the CMA's investigation and our own directory data show, and what they don't.
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Private equity vet ownership in the UK
Private equity owns or controls IVC Evidensia (EQT), VetPartners (BC Partners), Medivet (CVC) and Kin Vet (Perwyn): 2,524 of 7,602 UK vet practices.
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The biggest vet groups in the UK: the big six ranked
Six groups own about 6 in 10 UK vet practices. Who they are, who owns them, the names they trade under, and how to tell if your vet belongs to one.
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How many vets are there in the UK? 2026 figures
7,602 vet practices, 30,138 practising vets and 23,540 vet nurses. Who owns UK practices, by nation, region and group, with every figure dated and sourced.
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Is Vets for Pets part of Pets at Home? Who owns it
Yes. Pets at Home co-owns most Vets for Pets practices with a local vet, who runs the branch and sets its prices. What that means for you and your bill.
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Who owns online pet pharmacies? The UK list, checked
Pet Drugs Online, Animed Direct and VetUK belong to big vet groups. Who owns each UK online pet pharmacy, how to check it's legal, and the £21 cap.
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The CMA reforms
The CMA vet reforms, explained for pet owners
The competition watchdog has ordered major reforms to UK vet services: capped prescription fees, published price lists and mandatory ownership disclosure. Here's what changes, and when.
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Vet price lists: what UK vets must publish, and when
Every UK vet must put prices for 36 common treatments online, starting 22 December 2026. What the list must show, and what to do if yours hasn't.
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Your options as a pet owner
How to switch vets in the UK
Switching vets is easier than most owners expect: you can register anywhere, your pet's clinical history transfers on request, and you don't need to explain yourself. The process, step by step.
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Vet prescriptions and the new fee cap
You can ask any vet for a written prescription and buy the medicine elsewhere, often for far less. From 2027 the fee for writing one is capped at £21. How it works, and when to use it.
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Out-of-hours vets: who to call when your vet is closed
Every UK vet must arrange 24-hour emergency cover, often at a separate clinic. Who to phone, why it costs more, and how to find your vet's night cover.
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Vet referrals explained: costs, choice and who owns them
Your vet wants to refer your pet. What a referral is, what it costs, your right to ask about other options, and how to check who owns the referral centre.
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How much do vets charge in the UK? 2026 prices
UK vet prices for a consultation, vaccinations, neutering, dental work and emergencies, from published price lists and the CMA, and how to pay less.
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Charts and data downloads
Our Who Owns What page charts corporate consolidation over time, and The Data offers every practice record as open CSV downloads.